As the son of a stage four breast cancer survivor (13 years and counting now) I am outraged by the actions of the Egyptian government blacklisting Israeli cancer researchers and activists from the Komen conference and Race for the Cure beginning today.  
Oct 21, 2009 23:33 | Updated Oct 21, 2009 23:56
Egypt slams door on Israeli cancer researchers

By JACOB KANTER
Although they were granted all the necessary security clearances, a team of Israeli breast cancer researchers and advocates was denied entry to Egypt earlier this week.
The team had hoped to participate in breast cancer awareness and advocacy programs and workshops organized by the American-based Susan G. Komen For the Cure, but was informed just before departing that Egyptian Health Minister Hatem el-Gebaly had decided they would not be allowed to attend. "The situation is very serious," said Yossi Levy, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry. "Everything was taken care of, [the team] had the necessary documentation. We still don't know why they weren't allowed in." Levy also said his office was in discussion with Egypt about clarifying the decision. In addition to the ministry's efforts, the Anti-Defamation League called on Susan G. Komen For the Cure on Tuesday to help ensure the Israelis' participation in the event. "We respectfully urge the leadership of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to make clear to Egyptian authorities, including the breast cancer program's patron, First Lady of Egypt Suzanne Mubarak, that this exclusion of Israeli breast cancer researchers and activists is unacceptable," wrote ADL national director Abraham H. Foxman. "This decision must be immediately reversed to enable them to participate in these programs."
However, as of Wednesday afternoon, no progress had been made, and the team remained in Israel. The week-long event began on Wednesday in Alexandria with an address from the US ambassador to Egypt, Margaret Scobey, among others. The rest of the week will feature a "Race for the Cure" at the Giza Pyramids, and various workshops on breast cancer support. Dr. Muhammad Shaalan, chairman of the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt, praised the event. "This remarkable, intensive, passionate, unprecedented cooperation between nations is a message of unity, peace and hope to win the battle against breast cancer," Shaalan said in a statement. A representative from the Israel Cancer Association had not yet heard of Egypt's actions on Wednesday afternoon.
 
http://ww5.komen.org/Egypt/
 
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1256150020651&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

The following is a statement from Susan G. Komen for the Cure© regarding the meeting in Egypt scheduled for October 21-27:
 
“Breast cancer advocates from the United States and across the Middle East are meeting in Egypt from October 21-27 for breast cancer awareness events. There have been reports that some of the invited participants would not be allowed to attend these events. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has now received clarification that all are invited to fully participate in events to bring breast cancer to the forefront of public discussion in the Middle East. Susan G. Komen for the Cure remains steadfast in our mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever everywhere.”
 
Thank you

I just googled this and don't see anything that tells me that Israel is being seated at this conference.  Komen Administration--could you please specifically clarify that Israel is indeed present at the conference in Egypt.  Thank you.
                                                               Ann B.

Ann B.
12/89--Lumptectomy of left breast for 2 sites of DCIS followed by radiation and 5 years of tamoxifen. ER/PR +
12/2002--Mastectomy of Left breast for recurrence. Nodes negative. ER/PR+ Her2-. Arimidex.

I'd like to know what pressure, if any, the Susan G. Komen Foundation is putting on the Egyptian government. Do the benefits of the event outweigh the blatant racism and exclusionism of the Israelis? Were Jews of other countries prohibited from attending? This event should be cancelled immediately to send the message to all countries that this Foundation will not be a willing participant to such unconscionable activities.

We hope so. We urge them to come and we will welcome them here in all of our events.
 
 
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Pleased to Announce Egyptian Events to Welcome All Advocates, Including those from Israel Statement by Nancy G. Brinker, Founder, Susan G. Komen for the Cure
 
“Breast cancer advocates from the United States and across the Middle East are meeting in Egypt from October 21-27 for breast cancer awareness events. There have been reports that some of the invited participants would not be allowed to attend these events. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has now received confirmation that all advocates, regardless of their country of origin, are invited to fully participate in events to bring breast cancer to the forefront of public discussion in the Middle East.
 
After we received the initial report on the situation, we launched a diplomatic effort to ensure they would be able to participate. I am pleased to report that our efforts led to confirmation that all advocates would be welcome to participate in the events.  
 
Susan G. Komen for the Cure remains steadfast in our mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever.”

Can the Komen Administration actually confirm that the Israeli delegates are in Egypt, with their tushes on chairs at conference tables and participating.  I appreciate that you are trying to be diplomatic but is this actually happening.  It all depends on who is doing the confirming.  Thanks.
                                                                Ann B.

Ann B.
12/89--Lumptectomy of left breast for 2 sites of DCIS followed by radiation and 5 years of tamoxifen. ER/PR +
12/2002--Mastectomy of Left breast for recurrence. Nodes negative. ER/PR+ Her2-. Arimidex.

I just read this with disbelief and disgust!!!!

Ann, like you I do hope the Israeli delegates are participating in this and would like to thank the poster for bringing this to our attention.

Tricia Keegan...From Ireland Dx July '05 IDC 3/9 nodes pos..triple positive..a/c x 4..Taxol/herceptin x 12
Herceptin 1yr ..rads x35 oophorectomy Aug '06
Currently taking Arimidex /Zometa 1 x yearly
Carepage- survivortricia

Ann,
 
Since I am only the Komen Message Boards admin, I can only dissiminate what information is given to me. I don't have any information on the attendees who are there right now. I imagine that when the meeting is over, there will be information about who actually chose to attend.
 
As stated above as part of Komen's official position on the matter:  "We hope they do attend. We urge them to come and we will welcome them [to Egypt] in all of our events."
 
Thank you,
 
 

Moderator, this is not an issue of "who actually chose to attend." I find it disengenuous, and deeply disappointing that you would even phrase it this way! The Israeli researchers were specifically un-invited by the Egyptian minister of health, and they would clearly need a diplomatic permission to attend the conference. It is not a matter of them "choosing" to attend, but of them being ALLOWED to attend.  I find the SBK org.'s response to be less than desirable and very weak. The organization should strongly condemn the Egyptian government's actions and DEMAND that the Israeli researchers be formally re-invited to the conference!! 

Israeli doctors are at the forefront of medical research, including the cure for cancer.  For the Susan B. Komen organization to show barely half-hearted support for the Israeli researchers makes me wonder about (a) the organization's true commitment to curing cancer, and (b) the organization's philosphical and political commitment that is necessary to fulfill its mission.  I will not be donating any more to the organization until I see a stronger response from the organization's administration on such racist and anti-semitic actions.  I am deeply disappointed in the response to this issue by this organization which I previously held in very high regard.

To add to the previous posts, where is your evidence that they Isreali researchers are re-invited to attend? Where is your condemnation of the revoked invitation?

Tali--Thanks for posting this.  I was trying to be diplomatic but I find the Komen non-answers to be offensive.  If you are underwriting an event, then you should know who is actually there and not try to pacify people.  From my standpoint, the moment the Israelis were uninvited, Komen should have pulled out.  When the founder of an organization receives a presidential freedom medal, she represents all Americans and not just a particular cause.  I find Komen's  response to this shameful.
                                                                   Ann B.

Ann B.
12/89--Lumptectomy of left breast for 2 sites of DCIS followed by radiation and 5 years of tamoxifen. ER/PR +
12/2002--Mastectomy of Left breast for recurrence. Nodes negative. ER/PR+ Her2-. Arimidex.